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What does it mean to be out of touch with reality?
The most illuminating example concerning human nature is found in the New Testament when Peter and Jesus Christ speak together, and Peter insists to his master that he believe his devotion is entirely sincere. Thus, Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows, he will have denied him three times. The first place Continue reading
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Antigone, defiant and intimate (6/7. The vocation)
So many stories about identity! The word appears neither in Greek epic nor in tragedy. Identity in Antigone's time was rooted in lineage and belonging to a city-state. Identity was imbued with rootedness. Family and city-state gathered under a virtual banner everything that the other needed to know about oneself. Continue reading
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Antigone, defiant and intimate (3/7. Destiny)
Part 3: Destiny. Man descends from the tree. Man, like the tree, is defined as much by his roots as by his fruit. Man, like the tree, depends on external and internal elements to reach maturity. Man resembles this trunk sculpted by trials, leaning on its roots and bearing fruit of varying quality. Continue reading
Antigone , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , forgiveness , religion , revolution , totalitarianism , vulgarity -
News from Ernest Hello on fear and its perfections
Fear in general, therefore, has perfections that evil lacks. Perhaps the crucifixion was felt more terribly in the Garden of Olives than on the cross. For on the cross, it was felt in reality. In the Garden of Olives, it was felt in spirit. Continue reading
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Antigone, defiant and intimate (2/7. The funeral)
Part 2: The Funeral — “My dearest Ismene. I came this morning to tell you that I've taken care of everything. I used the same funeral home for both our brothers. I couldn't choose, and since our brothers didn't leave any last wishes, I took matters into my own hands to continue reading
Antigone , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , death , forgiveness , priest , religion , revolution -
Antigone, defiant and intimate (1/7. The family)
Part 1: The Family From the very first reading of Antigone, an ambiguity arises in the reader's mind. Does Antigone embody action or reaction? What drives Antigone? Reaction never exists on its own, whereas action needs no one; it is legitimized by the act itself. Action always inaugurates something. Unlike what is often Continue reading
Antigone , Charles Maurras , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , forgiveness , priest , religion , revolution -
The Humanity of Cheyenne Carron — Reflections on the film The Apostle
What astonishment overwhelmed me one recent morning as I listened to the voice of a young woman being interviewed by Louis Daufresne on his program, Le Grand Témoin, on Radio Notre-Dame. I was about to learn that this young woman's name was Cheyenne Carron. A Christian, she had made a film, L'Apôtre (The Apostle), the story of a Muslim touched by grace who decides to convert to Christianity. Continue reading
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News about humility
The human vision of humility is like the human vision of love: limited. Humility must exert its influence at all times and in all places. Humility does not allow for a choice about whether or not to practice it. Humility thus demands infinite availability and infinite vigilance. It demands—a term that has almost disappeared from our vocabulary—a word that has almost disappeared from our vocabulary. Continue reading
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Letter to my friend Alvaro Mutis
One day in the 1990s, we were walking down the street, having just left the Hôtel des Saints-Pères, and Alvaro Mutis stopped abruptly. We were almost at the corner of Rue de Grenelle, and he said to me, "Emmanuel, I have the feeling we walked like this together a long time ago on a street in Cádiz." And we... Continue reading
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The abandonment of Benedict XVI
“Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?” When Benedict XVI signaled, in a few simple words, that he was renouncing the papacy, it sent shockwaves through the world and deeply affected Catholics. The most outlandish rumors circulated, and everyone wondered about the reasons for this decision, which, even if it… Continue reading
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The death of intimacy
Everywhere—on the internet, in newspapers, or on television—personal experience is displayed, exhibited, and presented as the definitive reference. This indecency rests on a reversal of values. It is based primarily and ubiquitously on the idea of sameness. The idea of sameness suggests: “I lived through this; my experience reflects a universal feeling. I want to say what…” Continue reading
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Christian testimony
When I started this blog, the idea of writing about the liturgy came to me very quickly. Not to claim the status of an expert, but to share my experience about what represents the heart of a Christian's life. So there were two paths that had to converge: I had to tell the story of the liturgy. Continue reading
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In the heart of darkness, life
After seeing "The Tree of Life," I long forbade myself from writing about the film. Two forces clashed within me. Captivated by its poetry, by the state of bliss I was immersed in, I was afraid of disturbing the surface of this work. I became so enveloped in the mystery of this film that... Continue reading
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What does Steve Jobs stand for?
“Steve Jobs 1955-2011,” read Apple’s website on October 5, 2011. Right to the end, that unique, minimalist, elegant, and effective signature. His signature. The shock of this American business leader’s death took the world by surprise. The comparison was made, as with Lady Gaga. Continue reading